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Florence History
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In 59 BC, Roman soldiers established
the modest colony known as Florentia. As a result of its opportune
location along the Arno River, the settlement grew rapidly and
eventually became a hub for commercial trade. Like any developing
city, Florence experienced growing pains and pleasures throughout
the following centuries. Most notably, the late 12th century
marked the beginning of a chain of feuds between Florence and
neighboring Siena. During the 13th century, |
internal conflicts between the Guelphs, supporters of the Pope,
and the Ghibellines, supporters of the Emperor, shifted the city’s
power from one faction to the other. By the end of the 13th century,
the two groups declared peace, only for the Guelphs to later experience
a split among their own people and successive conflict.
In the mid 14th century, Florence was scarred by the devastation
of the Black Death, which eliminated over half of the city’s
population. In addition, the internal political turmoil placed the
aristocracy and the lower classes at constant opposition, causing
further conflict. Despite all of the political unrest, Florence
continued to grow artistically, as buildings, such as the Church
of Santa Maria del Fiore, were commissioned during this time period.
As the 14th century came to a close, the people of Florence began
to witness the beginnings of the Renaissance. The beginning of this
century initiated the Florentine golden age, which exemplified a
cultural expansion that included the realms of art, literature,
and science. The masterpieces produced by Michelangelo and Leonardo
da Vinci during the Renaissance, are characteristic of the glory
of Florentine history. The powerful Medici family, throughout each
generation, commissioned many of these priceless works of art. The
Renaissance also marked the continuous rise and fall of the Medici
family as leaders of Florence. In the mid fifteenth century, Cosimo
de Medici, and later Lorenzo the Magnificent, unofficially ruled
Florence. Cosimo was known for his instillation of peace among the
once feuding people, and both of these leaders brought the city
to a cultural height.
Although the Medici family experienced periods of defeat, they
nonetheless regained their titles, and in 1569 were crowned the
Grand Dukes of Tuscany. For centuries, the Medici’s continued
to rule, despite a general decline in Florentine economy during
later years. When the last Medici died in the 18th century, much
of the family’s property, including a vast collection of artwork,
was bequeathed to the city. The Duke of Lorraine succeeded the Medici,
and gradually aided the city in financial and cultural reconstruction.
Foreign rule in Florence completely ended in the 1960’s,
when the city became part of a unified Italy. During this period,
which lasted until the early 20th century, Florence started to experience
the stress of urbanization. During the early 20th century, the city
began to grow by the tens of thousands. As a result of this extreme
increase in population, the city began to incorporate more modern
residential and commercial buildings. Also in recent years, several
of the city’s ancient monuments have undergone renovations.
Many of original Church frescoes and outdoor statues have been removed
to more secure areas, so that future generations can enjoy the work
of early Florentine masters. Today, while the city has obviously
been affected by urbanization, you will still be amazed by its overall
classic appearance, both from the point of view of the magnificent
skyline to the up close look at architecturally brilliant buildings.
More Information
 www.state.gov
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